Methods and Systems for Adjusting Drilling Fluid

Core Summary:

This utility patent describes an integrated, real-time or near-time system for measuring, analyzing, and adjusting drilling fluids by combining four key analytical techniques:

1. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) – Determines elemental composition of solids in the mud.
2. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) – Identifies crystalline minerals (e.g., quartz) and quantifies formation materials.
3. Particle Size Analysis (PSA) – Tracks size distribution of solids to ensure optimal fluid rheology and abrasiveness control.
4. Mud Checks – Provides traditional physical-chemical fluid properties (e.g., density, viscosity, solids).

These analyses are continuously used to detect abrasive low-gravity solids (LGS)—especially quartz/sand—and to recommend or automatically execute corrective actions using solids control equipment (e.g., centrifuge g-force adjustments, dilution, retention time changes). This enables real-time adjustment of mud properties and solids content before re-circulation.

Value to the Digital Oilfield:

This patent is highly valuable to the modern digital oilfield because it:

• Creates a closed-loop, AI-ready system:
• Enables automation of drilling fluid conditioning using real-time data.
• Integrates seamlessly into digital twin and rig automation systems.
• Reduces Invisible Lost Time (ILT) and Non-Productive Time (NPT):
• Identifies abrasive solids before they damage downhole tools.
• Prevents tool failures, stuck pipe, and premature bit wear.
• Optimizes solids control:
• Moves beyond simple volumetric cuttings removal to mineral-specific decontamination, prioritizing wear-reducing actions.
• Improves ESG performance:
• Reduces contaminated waste volumes and fluid disposal requirements.
• Enhances drilling efficiency, lowering energy use and carbon intensity.
• Enables Predictive Maintenance:
• Links particle mineralogy and size with equipment wear trends, feeding into predictive analytics for rig components.
• Supports advanced analytics platforms:
• Can be embedded in cloud-based dashboards and edge-processing systems.
• Provides structured, high-frequency data streams suitable for AI/ML optimization.

What Makes This Patent So Valuable:

• First-of-its-kind combination of XRF, XRD, PSA, and Mud Check in a real-time decision system.
• Shifts drilling fluid optimization from empirical to scientific and data-driven—linking mineralogy directly to tool wear risk.
• Enables the development of next-gen solids removal KPIs, such as wear potential per barrel, not just volume of solids removed.
• Lays the groundwork for fully autonomous fluids management systems in future unmanned or semi-manned rigs.
• Addresses a known gap in drilling best practices—the lack of mineral-specific abrasiveness tracking in real-time.
• Protects a closed-loop architecture that can be commercialized across hardware/software integrations (e.g., sensor OEMs, rig software providers, mud companies).

Final Takeaway:

This patent is a cornerstone IP for digitizing fluids management, protecting a smart, automated, and mineral-aware system that can revolutionize how the industry measures, manages, and maintains drilling fluids—leading to safer, faster, and more cost-effective wells in any environment.